For patients with acute care needs, Bergen Medical Associates’ hospitalist team delivers continuity
Hospitalists — doctors who care for inpatients in a hospital setting rather than an outpatient office — fill some of the most important roles in the medical community. The team of hospitalists at Bergen Medical Associates, with six offices throughout Bergen County, are trained to treat an array of hospitalized individuals’ acute medical conditions, providing invaluable continuity of care, oversight and peace of mind to patients and their families.
“A hospitalist is a physician who specializes in the care of patients who are hospitalized,” explained Stacy Galgocy, MD, a member of Bergen Medical Associates’ hospitalist team. “Hospitalists are typically trained in internal medicine and have expertise in managing complex medical conditions in an inpatient setting. They work collaboratively with other health care professionals to coordinate and optimize the care of hospitalized patients, which includes everything from performing medical consultations to ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and developing and implementing treatment plans,” she said. “As hospitalists are dedicated solely to caring for inpatients, they’re often readily available to respond to emergent medical issues and can provide continuity of care throughout a patient’s hospital stay.”
“I see our role as ‘the captain of the ship,’” noted Erica Rosenbaum, MD, also a member of Bergen Medical Associates’ hospitalist team. “If a patient has multiple medical issues, we’re the boots-on-the-ground, go-to person in the hospital organizing their care and ensuring that all of the right specialists and consultants are talking to each other and collaborating in the patient’s care.”
“While hospitalists and internal medicine doctors are both trained in the management of adult patients with medical conditions, Dr. Galgocy noted that hospitalists have specialized inpatient training focused on the care of patients who have been admitted for care. “We manage complex medical cases in an inpatient setting,” she explained. “We also typically work exclusively in hospitals and don’t have outpatient practices, allowing us to be available on-site to manage urgent issues and provide continuity of care throughout a patient’s stay.”
Dr. Galgocy and Dr. Rosenbaum discuss what led them to their unique role, what their typical day is like and what they enjoy most about their job:
What first attracted you to the role of hospitalist?
Stacy Galgocy, M.D Hospital Care
Dr. Galgocy: The patients’ level of acuity drew me toward hospitalist medicine. I also enjoy being in a fast-paced hospital environment on a daily basis rather than in an office setting.
Dr. Rosenbaum: I like the energy of the hospital and the fact that each floor has its own environment, medical team and dynamic. I also like the challenge of addressing a variety of acute issues and helping to oversee each patient’s care plan.
Please describe your typical day.
Dr. Erica Rosenbaum M.D. Hospital Care
Dr. Rosenbaum: On a daily basis, I typically see anywhere from eight to 20 patients in the hospital or ICU who are dealing with a range of acute conditions, including everything from septic shock and advanced infections to low blood pressure, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), difficulty breathing (and in need of intubation), or a condition that needs to be diagnosed. We never know what we’ll be confronted with and are ready for anything. Our team treats patients in Pascack Valley Medical Center, Valley Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, and some sub-acute rehab centers in Bergen County. I see patients day and night, and there’s always one of us on call.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Dr. Galgocy: I love that I’m afforded the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our patients and their families during a vulnerable and often stressful time. The fast-paced, dynamic nature of hospital medicine also provides us with the opportunity to solve complex medical problems and collaborate with other health care professionals to optimize patient outcomes.
Dr. Rosenbaum: I get very close with my patients, almost like an extended part of their family. The long-term relationships I develop with my patients are very special to me.
How do patients benefit from Bergen Medical Associates’ team of hospitalists?
Dr. Rosenbaum: We take care of Bergen Medical Associates patients who are hospitalized, which enables us to provide our patients all-important continuity of care with their primary care doctor. In a nutshell, we help tie in the office with the hospital for our patients.
Dr. Galgocy: The continuity of care provided by our hospitalists throughout a patient’s hospital stay allows us to build strong relationships with our patients and their families and to optimize patient outcomes with seamless care across continuums.
Finally, how would you describe Bergen Medical Associates’ approach toward and support of hospital-based physicians like yourself?
Dr. Galgocy: BMA recognizes the importance of providing important resources and support to enable physicians to deliver high-quality care to their patients. This helps foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork among physicians and other health care professionals.
Dr. Rosenbaum: BMA sees its hospitalists as a vital part of the entire group of physicians on the front lines of patient care — in our case, treating acute conditions. I joined the practice about a year-and-a-half ago and the providers, nurses and staff at BMA have been extremely welcoming; they truly make our team of hospitalists feel like part of the family.
For More Information
With offices in Emerson, Paramus (2), Ridgewood, Northvale and Montvale, Bergen Medical Associates offers primary care and 12 areas of specialized care. Patients enjoy the “one-stop shopping” approach where so many medical services are provided under one umbrella. The multispecialty group fosters an environment of collaboration among the physicians, which results in a seamless continuum of care for patients. For more information, contact us today or call 201-967-8221.
